Chapter Seven: A Small Descent
Author Notes: I can't believe this story reached at least one thousand views! Thanks to everyone for their support! Just a forewarning for the below chapter: it might seem like Kotonoha is a bit OOC but I feel like it's possible for her to act this way. Again, I'm writing this mostly for my enjoyment. I have no idea when I will finish this story. Enjoy!
Just a few moments ago, Ryuuji glimpsed a girl running down the school corridor with eyes slightly damped with small droplets of clear liquid flowing down her cheeks. If it was anyone else, he couldn't care less but with just one look, he knew that girl was Kotonoha. She had seemed so cheerful earlier. Running off to gather her school bag and leaving him alone in the school storage room to walk home with her self-proclaimed boyfriend.
What had changed in just several minutes?
She seemed frantic, even desperate to flee from whatever was behind her. Whatever it was that harmed her. Ryuuji's uneasiness grew larger the more he dwelled on it and he frowned with distaste written on his face. He couldn't help but worry. It was unusual for him to stand there and think about what he should do when usually he would act upon his feelings and worry about the consequences later.
What was making him hesitate to go off and rush after her? It was along the lines of how their relationship was defined. Did Kotonoha think of him as just a friend and nothing else? To him, she meant more than that, much more yet he had resolved to watch her as she continued to be strung along with Makoto thinking that she was happy with him.
The silver-haired individual in the empty classroom cursed silently to himself. It was no time for him to be hesitating when the girl he cared about ran off and is currently off by herself!
Ryuuji dismissed his gloomy thoughts and took a deep calming breath. He needed to find Kotonoha. He could worry about other things later.
He was just outside his classroom door when he heard another pair of footsteps clamoring on the hallway floor. Not even bothering to turn around to look at who it was, Ryuuji started to walk off in the direction that he saw Kotonoha run off to at a brisk pace. His steps quickened some more as he felt that the issue was urgent.
"Hyouma-kun!" A masculine voice strained with quick breaths called out to him.
He recognized that voice. It was from Makoto Itou, even more reason to ignore him.
"Hey!"
"Wait!"
Eventually Makoto caught up with Ryuuji and grabbed his shoulder. Slightly annoyed, Ryuuji paused and turned around with a scowl on his face.
"What?" His tone was harsh and blunt. It reiterated the fact that he had no time to lose and yet here he was, bothered by someone who was going to waste his time.
Makoto's voice came out in labored breaths. "Did…you…see…. Kotonoha?" He hunched over with his hands on his knees struggling to keep his breathing even.
"No… I thought she was with you." Ryuuji emphasized the word "you" pretty harshly and even Makoto took the hint. Whenever it is about Kotonoha, this guy seems very protective. Makoto couldn't help thinking to himself and attempted to reply cautiously. The person before him was potentially dangerous and he didn't want to mess with him.
"She was…but then there was a misunderstanding….and then she ran off…I'm trying to find her so I can explain…."
Ryuuji's eyes narrowed. He's still hiding something. "Is this related to you and that Saionji girl?" he asked.
The look of surprise on Makoto's face told Ryuuji everything he needed to know and he turned to leave without hesitation.
"You're wasting my time, Kotonoha headed off in this direction in a rush and I need to –"
Ryuuji was cut off when Makoto sprinted past him with a "thanks" and then took off. He wanted to smack himself. Maybe Kei was right and he was terrible about relationships. He could have found Kotonoha already and here he was playing left and right with his own feelings!
He had a hunch that she would be near the train station, heading home. Trusting his instincts, he took off just as quickly as the young male before him, wanting to find the girl he desperately cared about.
He just hoped that she was safe.
XXX
"Hey, didn't you hear me? My buddy just asked you if you wanted to chill out with us." The question was asked with a condescending tone. This was their turf, their territory. Any guys that wanted to join up and hit the ranks could come join their group. Any girl unaccompanied by friends, boyfriends or "lost" in their turf was up for grabs. It was like an unspoken rule on the streets. A different world than what Kotonoha was used to and Kotonoha unintentionally qualified for the latter. It seemed like her luck was still toying with her. First was the scene at school and now this.
She picked herself up from the ground, dusted her uniform off, murmured a quick apology to the three individuals in a small voice and turned to leave.
If the three males were sensible individuals, they would have accepted her meek apology and moved on. However, they were the rulers of this section of town for a reason.
The two guys who wore piercings on their lower lips cut off her escape path. They humored themselves slightly as they thought that this girl might be the best catch of the day yet.
Trembling slightly, Kotonoha chewed her lip as she considered the situation she was in. It did NOT look good. One was behind her and two were in front, enclosing her in a small, tight circle.
Her eyes darted between the three of them and the area behind them. The look in her eyes told them that she wanted to escape and that she was uncomfortable in their presence.
"What's the matter? Did me and my buddies scare you?" The bald individual behind her sneered mockingly.
The long, black haired female in the center of the circle spun around and addressed the apparent leader as calmly as she could. Her fear of men prevented her from doing so however and she became a stuttering mess.
"I-I'm busy and n-not i-interested. S-sorry." Her tone and timid gestures made her appear weak to her audience.
The three of them laughed. It was adorable how she tried to put up a front and brush them off even as she stuttered in fear. She was really cute too. It wouldn't be as fun if she did otherwise. The three males shared the same look in their eyes. They wanted to take it slow and slowly savor the victory when she gave in and gave them what they wanted.
"Didya here that? She said she's busy!"
"Yep."
"Sure did."
"Aw, well if you're really busy then all you have to do is apologize for bumping into me and I'll let it slide this time." As the raven haired beauty looked closer to the leader, she saw that he had several inked tattoos covering his bare, rugged shoulders. She frowned slightly as she heard him earlier. He seemed to be offering a friendly way of letting her out.
"I-I just apologized." She was too nervous to look him straight in the eye and stared at his feet.
She saw his arms move up and down slightly as if he simply shrugged. He then asked his fellow companions for confirmation.
"Didya hear her apologize?"
"Nope."
"Natta."
The individual currently in front of her dropped his friendly façade and became serious. He took a step forward and closed the mere distance between them. Kotonoha was now staring at his shoulder.
"You lied, babe. Time for punishment." His voice took on a huskier tone. The implications were obvious.
She gave them a quizzical look. She had read many dark adult novels and had a hunch but she was hoping that they didn't mean what she thought they meant.
To make it even more obvious, the leader of the two companions leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"I want you to strip, babe." As soon as she heard his voice in her ear, she jerked her head to the side. His breath was hot and uncomfortable as it tickled her ear.
She protectively covered the collar of her school uniform and shook her head furiously. He chuckled again and decided to "help" her with the task. He gingerly placed his hands where her hands were and gave a small tug, she struggled against him but then he somehow found a place to grip his hands underneath the collar of her uniform.
With another forceful tug, the shirt collar popped open and exposed her bare collarbone as well as the nape of her neck. He licked his lips with eagerness and pulled the girl closer to him using her uniform as a rope. Since she was about half a foot shorter than him, he yanked her up exposing her neck to his face and inhaled deeply. Even though Kotonoha never wore any sort of body fragrance, she smelled deliciously sweet to him. He closed his eyes, breathed in and opened his eyes again. His heartbeat increased with the feeling of smug satisfaction as he grinned.
Kotonoha was held like a puppet dangling in front of him. She felt helpless and afraid but she needed to escape. Her feet were somehow positioned right near his knees so she attempted a full kick to cripple him slightly.
With a large yelp, he slightly tossed her to the side away from his other two companions, not releasing his grip and tearing her uniform some more. He cursed loudly. He was going to be gentle but he changed his mind. The girl wanted to play rough.
His buddies rushed forward to help but he stopped them with his arm. He could take care of this.
When she was tossed aside, Kotonoha couldn't land properly and fell to the ground. She told herself to get up and escape. She needed to get away. The thoughts filled her with strength as she pushed herself up again and attempted to run.
Her opponent was faster though. He grabbed her arm fiercely and cornered her to a nearby wall surrounded with old boxes and other miscellaneous things. She didn't have time to notice what they were. His body pinned hers by weight alone. There was no doubt in her mind that he weighed more than her. She felt like she was suffocating.
"You… bitch…" He panted as he worked his hands on stripping her uniform. The top was partially ripped off in some areas but he wanted to see more skin. His long legs straddled hers and his body was pressing up against her soft, supple body. Kotonoha struggled in protest but he continued to pin her against the wall.
His large, grubby hands grabbed more of the fragile cloth that composed her uniformed and tugged with slightly more force. The material was never meant to be defensive anyway and the result was obvious. A large portion of the cloth came off with a shredding sound. Kotonoha panicked and struggled against her assailant with renewed vigor, wrenching her upper body and arms left and right. Her opponent chuckled as it was futile. He had done this countless times before and none of his victims were able to get way until he was completely done with them. Finally done with getting the bothersome uniform off, he pulled the last remaining particle of cloth and yanked it open with enthusiasm exposing her sheer tank top underneath. He grinned lustfully with his eyes clouded in lust.
Just a bit more.
XXX
Kotonoha swatted his hands away and tried to fight him off, she really did. However, her opponent was much larger than her and his strength outnumbered hers. She felt the wind chill her skin as her uniform was pulled off of her. She unconsciously shivered but not from the wind.
It was from the thought of what was happening to her. She then attempted to scream, to yell, throwing her voice in desperation but no one cared.
No one was coming to her rescue.
Her throat burned as she continued to strain her voice but no one in the nearby area listened. Annoyed at her antics, her rapist slapped her face, the impact causing a loud smacking sound. The force numbed her senses and Kotonoha felt her vision grow hazy and dark. She felt her consciousness slip from the brute force and her feelings of anguish continued in her thoughts.
Help me!
Why is this happening to me?
Someone help me!
Help!
Help me…
Help…
As Kotonoha felt her mind slip into unconsciousness she heard malicious thoughts that couldn't have been her very own. They suggested things she normally wouldn't do, wouldn't have the courage to do because she wasn't brave enough.
Help you?
Why? Isn't Kotonoha Katsura from a wealthy prominent family?
Can't she fight her own troubles?
I'm afraid! They always want to take advantage of me! They always want to hurt me!
Eerie laughter cackled in the background.
It's because you NEVER try! Have you ever tried fighting back?
I have! But they're stronger than me!
You call that small struggle fighting! PATHETIC! When cornered, you should use any weapon you have to fight them off! Your teeth to bite them, your nails to claw them, anything!
Anything can be used as a weapon!
Anything!
Show them!
Show them that they should FEAR you!
Show them!
….
….
…
More malicious laugher echoed in the background.
XXX
Kotonoha's rapist thought that his victim had stopped struggling. He sighed, his excitement slightly ebbed away. He had hoped that she would put up more of a fight but he won out in the end. Maybe he had put too much force in that slap to silence her screams. No matter, he thought as he yanked the tank top over her head and exposed the cute bra underneath. He swallowed heavily. The size of her breasts was very nice and the breasts looked very supple too. He was sorely tempted to give them a squeeze. If he touched them, he knew he wouldn't be able to stop at just touching.
He was about too when he saw his victim shift slightly. Did she come to? Will she attempt to fight him off again?
Kotonoha shuffled slightly towards the left side as if she had trouble moving her body to face her attacker face to face. After he had slapped her, she was knocked to the right side as her head hit the wall with small thud.
The weird movement put her attacker slightly off though. She moved very slowly, with awkward motions like a puppet on multiple strings, almost like someone else was moving her or in control of her body.
It wasn't creepy enough to deter him from having his way with her though. He placed one of his hands underneath her chin and tilted her face towards him. He grinned. It made him feel so much more powerful when he let his victims see him ravishing them.
This was the point where he got to see the blatant fear in their eyes at how hopeless they were against him.
….
….
…
Nothing was there. Whatever fear he saw earlier was gone. There was nothing but a blank, empty stare. The gaze in his victim's eyes was hollow, lifeless and it gave him no satisfaction at all!
He wanted her to quiver in fear. He wanted her to plead, beg him even to let her go. She didn't even try!
Frustrated, yet still wanting to accomplish his task, he leaned in to place his lips on her bare body when he heard her say something. He paused ever so slightly. Was this when she would beg him?
He leaned closer to hear what she said.
"….fear…me…," said the girl who was pinned underneath him.
What?
All of a sudden he felt great pain between his legs. He mistakenly left his legs wide open for attack to his sensitive region and she took advantage of it by shoving her strong foot against it HARD.
"ARGHHHHH!"
He anguished as he doubled over from the pain and collapsed to the ground. He protectively covered his sore area in between his legs and huddled in a fetal position not moving from where he just fell. It was just too painful.
Kotonoha snickered to herself after hearing her attacker's pain. It was glorious! Just one move and the attacker became the victim. It wasn't enough though she thought to herself as she walked over to items spilled on the ground across from her. There was a splintered, old, wooden bat discarded against the wall almost hidden from her view. A makeshift weapon but enough to enact her revenge regardless.
The two companions of the injured rapist were guarding the alleyway, making sure no one bothered them while their leader had his fun before their turn. They crouched against the walls, keeping an eye out, feeling bored as hell when they heard his cry of pain.
Turning around quickly, they saw that he was on the ground while the girl was holding a painful looking bat. Their leader gave them the look to attack/grab her and they didn't need any more reason not to.
The two individuals looked silently to each other and nodded. They split up and rushed at the girl on both sides.
If Kotonoha was in her normal state, she might have panicked but right now she was strangely calm and furious at the same time. She held a weapon in her hand that she was not afraid to use and she wanted to inflict as much harm as she could on the individuals before her.
With the bat gripped fiercely in her two hands like how a person uses a sword in kendo, she swung widely and cut both individuals off from attacking at her sides at the same time. When they were forced to attack her individually, she ducked from their obvious motions to grab a hold of her, stepped back and swung the bat down against one of them who came forward towards her. She aimed for his head and brought it down. Even if she didn't have much power behind the strike a blow to the head was more than enough to cripple her opponent.
Her other opponent tried something different to avoid her attacks but because she was unpredictable, he was caught unaware and stricken down as well.
Where did all this strength come from?
Kotonoha had never taken any self-defense classes nor did she participate in sports. Her family wanted her to grow up like a modern lady so her extra-circular activities were monitored very carefully. However, her current situation had forced her into a corner which she felt compelled to fight and with her rationality temporarily pushed to the side, certain defensive "characteristics" of the human nature were brought forward. Adrenaline was also pumping through her bloodstream, fueling her instincts to fight.
Dark thoughts swirled inside her mind as she slowly walked over to the individual who was still huddling on the ground in a fetal position.
Make him fear you.
Make HIM pay!
Her lips curved up in a small smirk. She started to snicker and then started to laugh a little bit.
The thrill, the feeling was exhilarating!
Is this why the oppressors continued to oppress their victims? The overwhelming sensation was addicting and she wanted more of it. She wanted to feel more! It was a rush that she had never felt before and she wanted to savor more of it.
Kotonoha couldn't contain her laughter anymore and it bubbled out of her. It sounded like an eerie cackle from a possessed individual. Her normal persona from school was temporarily casted aside as this unknown side of her took over.
She now stood right above the man who wanted to rape her earlier. The individual who DARED to strip her while struggled helplessly. The roles were now reversed and she wanted revenge!
With the bat raised high, positioned above the former attacker Kotonoha readied herself as she was about to strike.
Her former assailant looked into her eyes and saw her hollow gaze. It was slightly unnerving that this was the girl who seemed so helpless earlier. Did something in her mind break?
He didn't have time to contemplate it further as the raven haired beauty brought the bat down in one swift motion. He attempted to block the blow to his head with his good arm.
As an anguished cry came from his lips, he also heard a large snap in his arm. There was no doubt in his mind that something in his arm was broken.
His scream didn't deter her at all and she continued by aiming another strike on his body.
SMACK.
It was now his good leg and he screamed loudly again in pain.
The sound of him in pain jolted his buddies awake from where they laid on the ground a few feet away from him. They squinted their eyes and saw the girl strike down blow after blow relentlessly. She didn't seem to mind that her hands were getting bloody from holding the splintered bat in her hands so roughly.
She's fucking insane! The two individuals shared the same thought as they watched from afar.
They had to save their leader from her. One of them wasn't that chivalrous though and bolted as soon as he saw the opportunity to do so. It wasn't worth his time to fight a crazy girl who had a weapon in her hands. The fun was over and the effort wasn't worth it.
XXX
Where could she be? Makoto asked himself as he ran. He had double-checked on the places where he had walked home with Kotonoha weeks before. There was still no sign of her.
Did she go home already?
He decided that he should at least check out the train station where Kotonoha took her train to and from school. Maybe he could also ask if anyone saw a raven haired beauty board a train heading towards Haramihama.
When he approached the train station off from the side near an alleyway, a guy with piercings and some injuries ran into him.
Makoto attempted to apologize since the guy looked like he had been in fights before but he took off so quickly before he was able to do so. He thought his behavior was really odd. Was he afraid of something? He then looked back at the direction the guy came from and noticed long, black hair and a feminine silhouette.
Kotonoha?
He walked closer to get a better look and when he had a clear view; he dropped his school bag in shock.
He had found Kotonoha.
But that was not what shocked him.
It was the fact that she held a bloody bat poised over a fallen individual, proceeding to issue out another strike. She held it up high with two hands gripping it and her legs apart, preparing to put her force into it.
There was more. Another individual was down on the ground who seemed to be attacked by her as well but was now struggling to get up to help the other. A friend perhaps?
Makoto couldn't do anything but watch. The girl he couldn't take his eyes off of was definitely Kotonoha but what was with this sudden change? It was like she had become a violent person!
It can't be her! Kotonoha… would never do this!
Makoto clenched the sides of his head in turmoil, trying to deny the scene in front of him. Kotonoha couldn't do this! Kotonoha was gentle and kind!
Yet…. He couldn't deny what his eyes saw. The girl who he thought was his girlfriend was dishing out more blows to an individual who had tattoos covering his shoulders. She wouldn't stop. He could have been wrong but to his eyes, Kotonoha appeared to be enjoying what she was doing.
Makoto continued to stand rooted to the ground, unable to do anything. He wanted to call out to her. He wanted to confirm that the girl in front of him was not Kotonoha but someone else who looked just like her. But he was also afraid that she could really be Kotonoha.
What should he do if it really was Kotonoha? Stop her?
What should I do…?
Pained yells and blunt hits echoed around Makoto as he continued to stand where he was. He did not move an inch as he was conflicted with his thoughts.
What should I do…?
XXX
Ryuuji was running towards the train station that Kotonoha frequently used to get to school from home. He pushed himself to run faster even though his legs were obviously feeling the exertion. Sweat beaded at his forehead and he could feel his shirt underneath soak up with sweat.
Why is it so far?
His thoughts were interrupted as his cell phone violently vibrated in his pocket. He considered not answering it since he was more concerned about finding Kotonoha, but the caller id showed the Katsura's family home phone number.
He quickly flipped it opened and answered.
"Hello?"
"Ryuuji-niichan! Oneechan is not home yet! It's so late, where could she be? Could she have gotten lost?" Her small voice was laced with deep concern.
"Calm down Kokoro-chan. I'll find her, don't worry." Ryuuji replied, trying to sound calm but deep down he was just as worried.
"Okay…. Ryuuji-niichan. Please find her and bring her home! I'll be waiting!" Kokoro pleaded as the call ended as soon as he had answered it.
Click.
He was almost there. He hoped that his instincts were right and that he wasn't too late.
I can do this!
Move!
XXX
Makoto's eyes continued to be glued to the scene in front of him. It was so wrong yet he couldn't avert his eyes away.
What had happened to make her act like this? He thought she was a very gentle girl, the type that most guys would love to protect and shelter. It was part of the reason why he was attracted to her and why he had asked her out.
Yet, she was so violent now. Nothing at all like the girl he was first introduced to by his bothersome childhood friend.
It was all so wrong.
Very wrong.
Deep into his own thoughts, Makoto didn't notice Ryuuji as he walked past him breathily heavily from his exertion and observed the situation. He made a mental note of two things: one person was down and being pummeled relentlessly by Kotonoha and the other was injured but was staggering towards Kotonoha to help his friend.
Unsure of what that individual who was approaching Kotonoha might do, Ryuuji dashed forward into the situation and tossed his school bag off to the side, landing near Makoto's feet.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" He roared as he grabbed the injured individual and shook him violently.
His opponent was weakened from his activities earlier so he did not even bother struggling. However, he did plead Ryuuji to stop the girl from the beating his friend because he was couldn't do it alone. Slightly surprised at the request Ryuuji hesitated. However, with a sweeping glance of his surroundings, it did seem like Kotonoha was slightly out of control. He gave a curt nod.
He would at least try to get Kotonoha to stop beating the person on the ground. He released the individual he had grabbed and turned towards Kotonoha.
The state of her attire caused fury to bubble up from Ryuuji from within. It was obvious what these guys were trying to do her earlier. He was now sorely tempted to go back on his word on helping the unconscious guy out. But….he couldn't let Kotonoha stain her hands with the guilt of hurting people when she came to.
As he cautiously approached her, he attempted to reason with her as she continued to beat her victim. She seemed like she couldn't hear him as she continued to beat down on the unconscious individual whose shoulders were covered in tattoos. "Kotonoha, stop! You'll kill him!"
She continued to ignore him. Her face was contorted with glee as she stood firmly with her bat gripped in both hands. The rush of power was blocking out everything out: reason and compassion.
Ryuuji decided to get the bat out of her hands so he came up behind her and stopped her in mid-swing by grabbing one of her forearms. She struggled in his grasp but he held on and whispered to her gently.
"Kotonoha, you've done enough… he won't attack you anymore…" She stopped struggling but refused to let go of the wooden bat. He winced at the sight of her hands coated in blood from rubbing against the old bat. She was clutching it so fiercely that her hands bled. Ryuuji couldn't imagine the mental trauma she had just experienced when he wasn't here protecting her.
"Kotonoha… please… let go…. You've done enough… I won't let them hurt you anymore…." He continued to plead while holding her.
Kotonoha's eyes cleared up slowly as light returned to them. Her sight was no longer lifeless and hollow as she glanced at her surroundings and at the individual who stopped her.
"Ryuuji-kun?"
She lowered the weapon in her hands and dropped it abruptly with a thud. She then collapsed in Ryuuji's arms as soon as she did, the exhaustion finally catching up to her as her adrenaline wore off. He was now holding her up in an awkward position so he did what he could to move her then gave her a piggy-back.
The injured individual who had asked Ryuuji for help carried his friend away to the nearest hospital. When he attempted to spare another glance at Kotonoha, Ryuuji gave him a deadly look that caused him to avert his eyes. If Ryuuji didn't have his hands full with Kotonoha, he would have trashed them too. Slightly uncomfortable in Ryuuji's presence, the individual then murmured a quick "thanks" and left. It was obvious that he had bitten off more than he can chew based on what had happened to him and his friend.
Ryuuji scooted Kotonoha more comfortably on his back and walked back the way he came. He stopped in front of Makoto and asked for his bag.
Makoto simply nodded and carefully handed it over. Ryuuji gave a small nod in thanks and continued to walk past him.
Makoto somehow found his voice again.
"Wait!" He called out.
"What?" Ryuuji had no time for his antics.
"H-How could you just accept that?"
"What do you mean?"
"W-What you just saw! There is something wrong with her! How could she hurt them like that and enjoy it!"
"I don't blame her. She was only defending herself." Ryuuji countered in Kotonoha's defense.
"But still! She didn't look like she wanted to stop! She wanted to kill them!" Makoto continued to reason with Ryuuji, trying to convince Kotonoha's protector to see the way he saw things.
"So what! Are you going to abandon her now that you saw a different side of her? Is your love for her so weak?" Ryuuji lashed out, irritated at what Makoto was insinuating.
"I-I don't know anymore. She… just seemed so different… I-I don't know if I can see her as the same person anymore…" Makoto gripped his own bag in frustration.
"Then that's your problem. To me, Kotonoha is still the same. If she didn't defend herself, she would be in a much more worse state then she's currently in. Is that what you wanted to happen!"
"NO! That's not what I meant!"
"I see… so this is what you truly are like… you're too afraid to support her… to help her with her own problems…"
"NO! You're wrong!"
"ENOUGH!" Ryuuji winced at the sound of his own voice when he noticed that Kotonoha behind him was stirring awake.
"Enough… it doesn't matter to me at all. You can say what you want, you can convince yourself that this isn't Kotonoha… that the girl you held a crush on for the longest time is perfect and has no problems… but to me, she is still the same gentle girl. No matter what she goes through, no matter what she does, I WILL be there for her."
Makoto attempted to speak up again but Ryuuji interrupted him again.
"If you don't think you can be there for her, you should end it before you hurt her even more."
Ryuuji left with his last remaining words to Makoto who was now speechless. As soon as he left the alleyway, he reached into his pocket for his cell phone and pressed the number two speed dial.
"Hello?" Kei picked up from the other end.
"Kei, it's Ryuuji. I need a ride home. Could you come quickly? Kotonoha is injured."
"At once, Ryuuji-sama. I will be there in five minutes."
"Thanks."
Click.
XXX
"….you should end it before you hurt her even more…" Makoto was left alone where he just witnessed a violent side of Kotonoha thinking about the last words Ryuuji left him.
He was so confused and his feelings for Kotonoha were now impacted. He was now questioning himself if he ever loved Kotonoha that deeply. As a young man of sixteen, his hormones mostly did his decisions for him and he had difficulty distinguishing between lust and love. Did he really love Kotonoha? Or was it because he was attracted to Kotonoha's lithe figure?
…..
…
He wasn't sure. There was no doubt in his mind that he had a lot to think about but thinking wasn't really his strong point.
Shaking his head in mild frustration, the brown haired male trudged his way slowly home.
XXX
Kei was true to his word and Ryuuji's ride came no later than five minutes. Ryuuji gently placed Kotonoha in the car, making sure her head didn't bump into anything and entered the vehicle with her.
They had arrived at the Katsura house twenty minutes later.
Kokoro enthusiastically jerked the door open when she saw who it was and voiced out her usual greeting.
"Onee-chan! Ryuuji-niichan! Welcome home!" She then lowered her voice when she realized that her sister was not even awake.
She was held by Ryuuji's arms in bridle style in front of the door.
There were also dried red spots on her that Kokoro noticed as blood. It was a much darker shade of red that couldn't be easily replicated with crayons or any other coloring instrument. It was very different than the color her friends used to write comic books about the good guys hurting the bad guys. The injuries depicted in the drawings were always colored in red but it wasn't the same as real blood….
Ryuuji entered the doorway slowly, angling Kotonoha's body so they could both enter without bumping into anything.
Concerned, Kokoro leaped forward to look more closely at her unconscious sister and gently grasped her arm, showing her support for her. Her usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with an unhappy expression and her normal enthusiasm was gone in an instant.
Ryuuji allowed her to walk alongside him as he slowly shifted his grip with Kotonoha in his arms. He wanted to make sure that he held her properly since he was planning on bringing Kotonoha up to her room where she could rest.
Kei wordlessly excused himself from Ryuuji's presence as he left, closing the door of the house behind him. He had no doubt that at this moment, nothing else required Ryuuji's attention more than the woman he held gently and protectively in his arms. No words were exchanged between Ryuuji and Kokoro as he quietly ascended up the stairs to Kotonoha's room. Ryuuji was sure that if Kokoro really wanted to ask what had happened, she would. However, considering the state that her older sister was in, Ryuuji doubted that Kokoro should know. It would worry the little girl even further, knowing that her beloved older sister was caught in such a situation.
Kotonoha's hands were covered in dried blood from the bat she had previously held. Her state of attire also spoke volumes about what she had just gone through. She was not wearing her uniform and if Kokoro looked carefully enough, her sister had nothing above her waist on except for her bra. Ryuuji had lent his jacket to Kotonoha and helped her wear it while she was unconscious in his arms (he did have trouble trying not to look at her beautifully sculpted body though). Thankfully, his jacket was large enough to cover her up. He felt like he should protect her chastity. As for her tattered uniform, it couldn't be fixed and she needed a new one. His assistant, Kei was on it.
Kokoro could only guess that her sister was in trouble somehow. It was obvious through the injuries on the hand and the way her Ryuuji-niichan looked at her sister as he held her gently.
XXX
After Ryuuji placed Kotonoha down gently on her bed with the covers spread open, Kokoro couldn't hold off her silence any longer.
"….I-Is Onee-chan okay?" Her feeble voice tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to flow.
Aware of how she felt, Ryuuji caressed Kokoro's head in an attempt to comfort her.
"She'll be fine, don't you worry. She just had a rough day, but she'll pull through somehow…."
Ryuuji couldn't help but add, "….she's strong you know…"
In response, Kokoro couldn't help but express a small smile. "Of course! Onee-chan is the strongest!"
Kokoro continued to hover over her older sister as she watched her breathe slowly, wondering if her sister was having a nice dream or a nightmare. Ryuuji took this opportunity to leave for a moment to gather some medical supplies from the nearby medicine cabinet. The wounds from Kotonoha's hands might have closed already but they needed to be disinfected and attended to just in case. He didn't want to her to catch anything.
He came back several minutes later to see that Kokoro hadn't moved from where she already was. He walked closer and knelt next to Kotonoha's bed, placing the safety kit on a nearby small desk. Kokoro nodded as she shuffled to the side a bit, allowing Ryuuji more room to address her sister's wounds. Ryuuji then gently reached out and grabbed a hold of one of Kotonoha's arms, turning it over to reveal the underside of her hand. The bleeding had stopped as he expected but the wound was unclean; various pieces of debris were scattered all over it. Some were clearly small chips of wood from the bat and others were flecks of dirt brought on by the conflict. Ryuuji couldn't help but stare at the wounds with an intense focus.
If only I had been there sooner….
Would it have made a difference?
Maybe.
Either way, he couldn't help but blame himself for not being there. So much for protecting her! I wasn't even there when she needed me!
"…..Ryuuji-niichan… is something wrong? You're staring…." Kokoro had turned to face Ryuuji when she noticed that he didn't move at all.
"I-It's nothing. Sorry." Ryuuji shook his head and drew his attention back to the task at hand.
He grabbed a cotton swab, dipped it into some disinfecting alcohol and tried as gently as he could to dab it on Kotonoha's palm. As soon as he did, Kotonoha hissed in pain and stirred awake.
"Onee-chan! Are you awake!" Kokoro nearly leaped at the response her sister just gave, concerned about her sister's well-being.
Kotonoha was then quiet again. Disappointed, Kokoro couldn't help but frown. Ryuuji tried placating her again.
"Don't worry Kokoro. I'm sure she'll be awake soon. Her reaction was probably a reflex."
Kokoro simply nodded again. She just had to be patient.
After Ryuuji finished disinfecting Kotonoha's wounds and wrapped them loosely in sterilized bandages, he placed the bed covers back on and over Kotonoha's body. He wasn't sure if he should remove his jacket from her then help her put on her own clothes, but he thought it was better if he didn't. Ryuuji knew that Kotonoha was clearly uncomfortable being touched by males and he had somewhat crossed the line by carrying her back to her room and touching her hands.
Who knew how she would react if she woke up seeing him undress her?
Ryuuji decided to let Kotonoha continue to borrow his jacket. One issue was resolved when another presented itself.
It was getting late and Ryuuji's stomach growled in protest. He didn't remember the last time he had eaten because he was worried about Kotonoha ever since he saw her leave school in a hurry.
Ryuuji faked a cough to save himself from embarrassment, but Kokoro had heard it anyway and her eyes lit up in glee.
He got up from the floor and stretched his legs. He had knelt on the ground for so long while tending to Kotonoha's wounds that his legs ached.
"Come on Kokoro-chan, you're probably hungry too right? Let's give some time for Kotonoha to rest quietly while I make something to eat."
Kokoro almost hesitated as she looked back to her unconscious sister. It couldn't hurt to be away for a bit right?
She nodded and followed Ryuuji downstairs.
XXX
…..
…
..
In Kotonoha's unconsciousness, she imagined herself huddling to herself in pitch-black darkness. As far as she could see, there was nothing but herself. She was all alone and she preferred it that way.
This way she wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
No more perverts or bullying.
Would it really be that simple? She wasn't sure but the darkness was somewhat welcoming.
Then the background around her shifted and a scene started to surface…